Pentoxifylline inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory mediators in human second trimester placenta explants

•Pentoxifylline is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.•We tested the anti-inflammatory effects of pentoxifylline in human placental tissue.•Pentoxifylline preferentially inhibited inflammatory cytokines in placental tissue.•Its anti-inflammatory effects were independent of administration time to endotoxin.•Pentoxifylline emerges as candidate to prevent or treat placental inflammation.